CHEMICAL COMPOSITION AND INVITRO DIGESTIBILITY OF FIVE SELECTED FORAGES USED AS FEED FOR GOATS AND SHEEP AT ODORAGUSHIN OF EPE LOCAL GOVERNMENT, LAGOS STATE.

Résumé

Chemical composition of five selected forage species (Mimosa pudica, Aspenlenum bulbiferum, Commelina benghalensis, Chamaecoustus cupidatus and Panicum maximum) used as feed resources in Odoragunshin area of Epe local government, Lagos state was carried out. The result obtained showed variations (P< 0 .05) in the proximate composition and invitro digestibility. The crude protein content was highest in Commelina benghalensis (21.46%) and was least in Chamaecoustus cupidatus (11.88%). Ether extract ranged from 7.70% - 15.38% in Mimosa pudica and Chamaecoustus cupidatus respectively. Highest Ash value (15.38%) was recorded in Commelina benghalensis. The estimated organic matter digestibility (OMD), metabolizable energy (ME) and short chain fatty acid (SCFA) were significantly different (P< 0.05). The result obtained in the present study showed that the selected forages could be used as part of feed for ruminants, especially during the period of scarcity.